Our View: Return the stolen turtle

In a crime that has saddened and outraged the city, the Fall River Public Library's beloved pet turtle, Franklin, was stolen from his tank in the library's children's room on Saturday.

Herald News Editorial Board

In a crime that has saddened and outraged the city, the Fall River Public Library’s beloved pet turtle, Franklin, was stolen from his tank in the library’s children’s room on Saturday.

It’s heartbreaking that Franklin has been taken in this manner. Dorothy Sorel, an 82-year-old library volunteer who cared for Franklin, and took him for walks for the past six years, is one of many crestfallen people in the wake of the crime. “He was more than just a mascot,” she said. “He belonged to everyone in the city, even to the guy who stole him.”

She spoke for many of Franklin’s fans when she told The Herald News, “It hurts. It really, really hurts.” In hopes that kids can be spared from the cruel reality of the crime, children are being told by library staff that the turtle is on vacation.

The “ninjaesque” manner in which library officials described the turtlenapper’s calculated moves captured on surveillance footage, but undetected at the time, is reason for even more concern — not only because the sociable terrapin mascot is now missing, but because it has brought security vulnerabilities at the library to light. While it’s sad that he chose to take Franklin, thank goodness this man was not out to harm a child.

With heavy media coverage of the theft and surveillance footage of the turtle thief distributed widely, hopefully someone will recognize the suspect — described by police as a white or Hispanic man with dark hair and a ponytail. At the time of the crime on Saturday, he was wearing dark-colored pants and a white graphic T-shirt over a long-sleeved black shirt. Police are asking anyone able to identify the suspect to call police at 508-676-8511 or leave information on the anonymous police TIPS line at 508-672-TIPS.

Perhaps the suspect, whom Mayor Will Flanagan called the “Grinch” of the city, will have a conscience and return the turtle unharmed and turn himself in. Sorel even suggested that if someone just leaves Franklin in the Elm Street area where the turtle often walked, he would be able to find his way back “home” to the library.

Valued at $80, the turtle has a priceless sentimental value to the community. Franklin, believed to be 14 or 15 years old, has called the library home for more than 13 years since a young boy donated him to the library. Franklin received a lot of love and attention there and was well cared for. He brought joy to library patrons of all ages. It makes no sense that someone would go to such lengths to take him away from a loving home.

If any good may come from this incident, hopefully it is that it causes library officials to revamp security measures and protocols to ensure that children and other patrons, along with the library’s valuable contents, are safe from those who might see an easy target. Meanwhile, let’s hope Franklin is returned home from his unexpected vacation soon.

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